Hewlett-packard Development Company, L.p.

Steven T Roth

Aswin Chandramouleeswaran

C P Vijay Kumar

Daniel R Mathias

Lisa M Nishiyama

Harshavardhan R Kuntur

Guy Lowell Kuntz

Wade James Satterfield

Larry N McMahan

Eric Hamilton

Scott T Millward

Carl E Davidson

Douglas K Eldred

Arun Krishna

Naomi A Munekawa

James E Kleeb

A method, and a corresponding mechanism, are used for creating a self-describing kernel module. The method includes the steps of expressing data describing a module in a modmeta file format and creating a C language source file. The C language source file is created by translating the expressed data into a series of C language data structures, wherein the series of C language data structures comprises the C language source file. The C language source file is then compiled and linked into the module itself, thus making the module contain its own descriptive data.

Self-describing kernel modules

A method, and a corresponding mechanism, are used for resolving interface dependencies in kernel modules during an operating system (O/S) update. The method includes determining the O/S version for which each module is designed, determining a version of the updated O/S, comparing the O/S version for which each module is designed to the version of the updated O/S, and removing from the system those modules that are not compatible with the updated O/S.

Kernel module interface dependencies

A user-defined tunable, and an apparatus and a method for creating the user-defined tunable, are described. The user-defined tunable includes a tunable name, an assigned value, and an expression that relates the user-defined tunable to one or more kernel tunables. The kernel tunables have parameter values defined by the expression, and a change to the expression changes the parameter values of the kernel tunables.

Apparatus and method for user-defined tunables

One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of automated registry clean-up for an operating system of a computer system. Interfaces on which each module depends is determined, and a module is marked as obsolete if the module depends on an interface that is non-existent in the operating system. Configuration data is removed from a system registry for modules marked as obsolete. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Method and apparatus for automated registry clean-up

Systems, methods, and devices are provided for kernel configurations. One embodiment includes a kernel configuration tool, a system file accessible by the kernel configuration tool, and means for recovering kernel configurations without the use of a manually creating a 'known good post update' kernel configuration.

Kernel configuration recovery

Systems, methods, and devices are provided for kernel configurations. One embodiment includes a kernel configuration tool, a system file accessible by the kernel configuration tool, and means for automatically detecting and moving a kernel configuration in association with boot and shutdown routines.

Moving kernel configurations

Systems, methods, and devices are provided for transactional kernel configuration. One embodiment includes a kernel configuration tool, a system file accessible by the kernel configuration tool, and program instructions executable by the kernel configuration tool to immediately and persistently apply kernel configuration changes a manner that ensures a transactional kernel configuration change.

Transactional kernel configuration

In one configuration, a method for operating a computer includes booting an operating system having a plurality of tunable kernel subsystems; storing a representation of at least one base tunable having a set of inheritable properties in a memory of the computer; and storing, in a memory of the computer, a plurality of representations of instances of at least one of the stored base tunables, each instance including at least one inheritable property of the stored base tunable, wherein representations of at least a first instance and a second instance are stored at different memory addresses. The first instance and the second instance include a plurality of values, and differ in at least one corresponding value.

Method and apparatus for tuning multiple instances of kernel modules

A method, and a corresponding mechanism, are used for generating and managing multiple saved kernel configurations. The method includes retrieving an existing kernel configuration, applying a kconfig command, by which a second kernel configuration is generated, and saving the second kernel configuration.

Multiple saved kernel configurations

A method for operating a computing apparatus includes specifying proposed changes to a plurality of tunable parameters of tunable kernel modules determining whether application of the changes would violate a set of constraints; and effectuating either none or all of the changes depending upon whether the changes were determined to violate any or none of the constraints, respectively.

Method and apparatus for automatically changing kernel tuning parameters

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus in which a UNIX operating system can be configured or tuned without rebooting the system. Advantageously, the present invention is directed to a dynamic mechanism for updating kernel parameters which is persistent and lasts across reboots. The present invention provides a dynamic kernel tunable framework for changing tunables in a kernel without rebooting. A graphical user interface displays and is used to change graphical values and settings of dynamic tunables.

Dynamic kernel tunables

The present invention, in various embodiments, provides techniques for allocating resources for efficient use by a program. In one embodiment, a method implementing the techniques comprises the steps of identifying an I/O device connected to a storage device storing data associated with the program, and allocating memory arrays and a processor both of which having a shortest distance to the I/O device. In one embodiment, the resources reside in a plurality of nodes each of which includes one or a combination one or more of an I/O device, memory arrays, and a processor. Further, the resources are grouped in a node if they are on the same system bus or if they are connected to a chip providing point-to-point links to resources. In one embodiment, the relative distance between the resources is stored in a table embedded in firmware portable from one operating system to another operating system. As a result, the table, or the system using the table, may be referred to as platform neutral, system neutral, or operating system neutral.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Steven T Roth